Visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function

ABSTRACT

A device is provided which is capable of determining an amount of exercise involved in walking, as well as of obtaining quantitative information about visceral fat in the abdominal part of a subject and which can be used handily by being carried with the subject. The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function is configured as follows. The visceral fat determining device has a step-counting means for counting the number of steps involved in exercise such as walking done by a subject and a main body shaped to be portable. When body data of the subject such as the waist size of the subject is inputted to the visceral fat determining device through a manipulation section, the visceral fat determining device is capable of performing a computation of the body data based on a predetermined computing formula for obtaining quantitative information about the abdominal visceral fat of the subject.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a visceral fat determining device with a stepcounting function and is capable of obtaining quantitative informationabout visceral fat present in an abdominal part of a human body.

BACKGROUND ART

Keeping the amount of fat in the body of a human at a proper amount isnecessary in preventing adult diseases and the like to maintain humanhealth. In keeping the amount of such body fat at a proper amount, it isnecessary to keep daily energy (calorific value) intake, basalmetabolism, exercise, digestion/absorption of food, and the like inbalance. Exercise such as walking or running can be done in everydaylife as a calorific value-consuming means. There are various instrumentswith which one can know the relationship between such exercise and theamount of exercise or the amount of calorific value consumed by theexercise or with which one can know the amount of fat in his or herbody.

Among such instruments there is known a passometer (generally called a“pedometer”), which handily allows the user to know the amount ofexercise done in walking or the amount of calorific value consumed bywalking. Such a passometer is an instrument to be fitted on a waist partof a human body for counting the number of steps involved in walking orrunning. The passometer is capable of estimating a consumed calorificvalue based on a steps count and necessary personal data items such asstride, weight, and age. A passometer of another type is adapted tomeasure a time period taken to walk or run to find an average speed perunit time, based on what it estimates to be a consumed calorific value.

On the other hand, there is a body fat determining device as aninstrument capable of determining the body fat weight or body fat ratioof a human body. The body fat determining device is adapted to determinethe body fat weight or body fat ratio of a person from the bioimpedanceof the person, which is the impedance of the person's body measured withelectrodes brought into contact with parts of the body, and necessarypersonal data of the person such as the weight, height, and age of theperson.

Further, there is a training device employing a cycle ergometer. Thistraining device is adapted to provide training according to a menu whichis established to include exercise corresponding to a predeterminedamount of exercise or a consumed calorific value. Some of such trainingdevices are provided at their respective handle portion with electrodesfor determining the body fat ratio of a trainee.

With the aforementioned passometer, the user can know an amount ofexercise or consumed calorific value based on the number of stepscounted and is allowed to do exercise such as walking in accordance witha target amount of exercise or the like. However, the user cannot know achange in the fat amount in his or her body caused by the exercisemeasured.

Since it is believed that the so-called abdominal visceral fat, which isbody fat of the type adhering to internal organs and their peripheralportions in an abdominal part of a human body, is closely correlatedwith adult diseases and the like, a device capable of obtaininginformation about such abdominal visceral fat, in particular of bodyfat, is needed.

The aforementioned conventional body fat determining device is capableof determining a body fat ratio or the like on a whole body basis, butis not capable of obtaining information about fat focused in thevisceral part, in particular, of a human body. Thus, a device is neededwhich is capable of obtaining such information about fat in the visceralpart of a human body. It would be desirable that such a device be of theportable type which allows an individual to carry it in everyday life,but not a large-scale instrument to be installed in a sports center orthe like.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice which is capable of determining the amount of exercise done inwalking or like exercise while obtaining quantitative information aboutvisceral fat in the abdominal part of a subject and which can be usedhandily as carried with the subject every day.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A visceral fat determining device with a step-counting functionaccording to the present invention is configured such that:

the visceral fat determining device has step-counting means for countingthe number of steps involved in exercise such as walking done by asubject, and a main body shaped to be portable;

the visceral fat determining device allows entry of body data of thesubject including the waist size of the subject, which is thecircumferential size of a trunk part of the subject;

the visceral fat determining device is capable of obtaining quantitativeinformation about abdominal visceral fat of the subject through acomputation of the body data based on a predetermined computing formula;

the visceral fat determining device has display means for displayingresults of determinations obtained;

the computation based on the computing formula for obtaining thequantitative information about abdominal visceral fat of the subject isperformed using data including the waist size of the subject; and

the display means is capable of displaying at least the number of stepscounted by the step-counting means.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function thusconfigured according to the present invention is capable of determiningthe amount of exercise involved in exercise such as walking representedthrough step-count data as well as of obtaining quantitative informationabout the abdominal visceral fat of a subject based on the waist size ofthe subject. Since the visceral fat determining device with astep-counting function according to the present invention is shaped tobe portable so that the subject can carry it every day, the visceral fatdetermining device is capable of determining the amount of exerciseinvolved in exercise such as walking and readily obtaining quantitativeinformation about the abdominal visceral fat of the subject at any time.If the abdominal visceral fat is measured before and after walking, thesubject can know quantitative information about a change in visceral fatcaused by exercise such as walking readily at any time.

A visceral fat determining device with a step-counting functionaccording to the present invention may be configured such that:

the visceral fat determining device has step-counting means for countingthe number of steps involved in exercise such as walking done by asubject, and a main body shaped to be portable;

the visceral fat determining device allows entry of body data of thesubject including the waist size of the subject, which is thecircumferential size of a trunk part of the subject;

the visceral fat determining device is capable of determining anabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area of the subject through acomputation of the body data based on a predetermined computing formula;

the visceral fat determining device has display means for displayingresults of determinations obtained;

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area of the subject is performedusing data including the waist size of the subject as the body data; and

the display means is capable of displaying at least the number of stepscounted by the step-counting means.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function thusconfigured according to the present invention is capable of determiningthe amount of exercise involved in exercise such as walking, representedthrough step-count data, as well as of determining an abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area, which is closely correlated with the amount ofvisceral fat as quantitative information about the abdominal visceralfat of a subject based on the waist size of the subject.

Since the visceral fat determining device with a step-counting functionaccording to this configuration of the present invention is shaped to beportable so that the subject can carry it every day, the visceral fatdetermining device is capable of determining the amount of exerciseinvolved in exercise such as walking and the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area of the subject readily at any time. If theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area of the subject is determinedbefore and after walking, the subject can know quantitative informationabout a change in the visceral fat caused by exercise such as walkingreadily at any time.

A visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function may beconfigured such that:

the visceral fat determining device is capable of storing step-countdata obtained by the step-counting means; and

the visceral fat determining device has visceral fat change computingmeans for performing a computation to find a change in abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area relative to the step-count data basedon a first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area determinedthrough a computation based on first body data, step-count data obtainedby the step-counting means after the first abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area is determined, and a second abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area determined thereafter through a computation basedon second body data.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function thusconfigured according to the present invention is capable of computingand estimating a change in the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea determined from the first and second abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional areas determined before and after exercise, such aswalking, as a change relative to the amount of exercise represented bythe step-count data obtained by the step-counting means. This allows asubject to appreciate more clearly the effect of exercise such aswalking in consuming abdominal visceral fat.

The computation for determining a change in abdominal visceral fatrelative to step-count data may include finding a difference in theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area, which is the differencebetween the first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area and thesecond abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area, and finding theratio of the difference in abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areato the step-count data. Otherwise, the computation may includedetermining the amount of exercise such as a walking distance fromstep-count data and finding the ratio of the difference in the abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area to the amount of exercise. Stillotherwise, the computation may include determining a visceral fat amountcorresponding to the difference in abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area and finding the ratio of the visceral fat amount toa consumed calorific value determined from the step-count data. Suchcomputations for determining a change in abdominal visceral fat relativeto step-count data include various computations for evaluating thechange in abdominal visceral fat relative to the amount of exercisedetermined based on the step-count data by determining a change inabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area before and after exercisesuch as walking from the difference between the first abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area and the second abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function maycomprise:

visceral fat determination instruction instructing means for instructingthe determination of the first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea through the computation based on the first body data and thedetermination of the second abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areathrough the computation based on the second body data; and

step counting start instructing means for instructing the start ofcounting of step-count data when the termination of the computation fordetermining the first abdominal visceral fat is detected, wherein:

when the termination of the step counting by the step-counting means isdetected, the visceral fat determination instructing means instructs thedetermination of the second abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area;and

the visceral fat change computing means performs computation fordetermining the change in abdominal visceral fat relative to thestep-count data based on the first and second abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional areas determined and the step-count data.

With this configuration, it is possible to achieve the determination ofthe first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area before the startof exercise such as walking, the counting of step-count data of exercisesuch as walking and the determination of the second abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area after the exercise reliably without anyoperation error or the like and, hence, the determination of a change inabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area relative to exercise such aswalking can be made reliable.

The visceral fat change computing means may be configured to perform acomputation based on the step-count data to find a calorific valueconsumed by exercise such as walking done by the subject as well as tofind a visceral fat consumption ratio, which is a change in abdominalvisceral fat relative to the consumed calorific value as the change inabdominal visceral fat relative to the step-count data. Thisconfiguration is adapted to find a consumed calorific value as an amountof exercise corresponding to the number of steps based on the step-countdata and, hence, the subject can appreciate a change in abdominalvisceral fat relative to a consumed calorific value represented as anamount of energy. This configuration is convenient because a change inabdominal visceral fat can be made to clearly correspond to intake offood or the like through the consumed calorific value.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining a consumed calorific value and a visceral fatconsumption ratio as a result of exercise such as walking done by thesubject, may be configured to allow entry of the stride and weight ofthe subject, wherein

the visceral fat change computing means is capable of finding theconsumed calorific value and the visceral fat consumption ratio based onthe step-count data obtained and the stride and weight entered of thesubject.

This configuration is capable of determining a consumed calorific value,which is an amount of energy consumed by exercise such as walking doneby the subject over a fixed distance, from the step-count data and thestride and weight data entered of the subject. The visceral fatconsumption ratio can be found from the consumed calorific value thusdetermined and the change in abdominal visceral fat.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining a consumed calorific value and a visceral fatconsumption ratio as results of exercise such as walking done by thesubject, may be configured to be capable of storing the visceral fatconsumption ratio as well as of performing a computation to estimate theconsumed calorific value from the visceral fat consumption ratio and theamount of the change in abdominal visceral fat found from the first andsecond abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areas determined.

Alternatively, the visceral fat determining device with a step-countingfunction, which is capable of determining a consumed calorific value anda visceral fat consumption ratio as a result of exercise such as walkingdone by the subject, may be configured to be capable of storing thevisceral fat consumption ratio as well as of performing a computation toestimate the amount of the change in abdominal visceral fat from thevisceral fat consumption ratio and the consumed calorific valuedetermined based on the step-count data determined.

The visceral fat consumption ratio to be determined is a rate ofconsumed abdominal visceral fat per a fixed amount of exercise convertedto a consumed calorific value and is inherent to the constitution of anindividual subject. Once the abdominal visceral fat consumption ratio isdetermined, determination of a calorific value consumed by exerciseallows estimation of the amount of consumed abdominal visceral fat fromthe consumed calorific value thus determined and the abdominal visceralfat consumption ratio. Alternatively, if a change in abdominal visceralfat as a result of consumption of abdominal visceral fat is determined,it is possible to estimate a consumed calorific value from the change inabdominal visceral fat thus determined and the visceral fat consumptionratio.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining a consumed calorific value and a visceral fatconsumption ratio as results of exercise such as walking done by thesubject, may be configured to be capable of storing the consumedcalorific value and the visceral fat consumption ratio; and

the visceral fat change computing means is capable of finding a stepscount, a walking distance and a consumed calorific value which areneeded to consume a given target amount of visceral fat based on thestep-count data, the consumed calorific value stored and the visceralfat consumption ratio stored.

With this configuration the subject can know a steps count, a walkingdistance, and a consumed calorific value, which are needed to consume agiven amount of abdominal visceral fat established as a target value ifthe subject wants to consume the given amount of abdominal visceral fat.This configuration is convenient because such a steps count or the likecan serve as a measure of exercise such as walking.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of storing the stride and weight of the subject, may beconfigured to be capable of measuring a time period elapsed afterstarting of step counting by the step-counting means, wherein

the visceral fat change computing means is configured to determine adistance the subject travels from the step-count data and the stride,and an average traveling speed from the distance of the travel and thetime period taken by the travel as well as to determine a calorificvalue consumed by the travel based on the average traveling speed.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the visceral fat consumption ratio, may beconfigured to be capable of:

measuring a time period elapsed after starting of step counting by thestep-counting means and determining abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional areas at predetermined time intervals after starting ofa specific kind of exercise such as walking;

comparing the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areas determined atthe predetermined time intervals with the first abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area sequentially and measuring a time period until adifference between the first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areaand any one of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areasdetermined at the predetermined time intervals is detected, therebymeasuring a time period from the start of the specific kind of exerciseuntil combustion of visceral fat starts;

storing a visceral fat combustion starting time period which is a timeperiod elapsed until the start of the visceral fat combustion; and

performing a computation to find a consumed calorific value consumed byexercise such as walking done by the subject based on step-count dataobtained by the step-counting means after lapse of the visceral fatconsumption starting time period from the start of the specific kind ofexercise and determining a corrected visceral fat consumption ratio as achange in abdominal visceral fat relative to the consumed calorificvalue thus found.

With this visceral fat determining device with a step-counting functionit is possible to determine a visceral fat consumption ratio relative toa consumed calorific value consumed by exercise such as walking done bythe subject based on the step-count data obtained after the start ofconsumption of the abdominal visceral fat itself, or after lapse of thevisceral fat consumption starting time period.

Consumption of the abdominal visceral fat of a human body starts notjust after the start of exercise such as walking, but also after lapseof a certain time period from the start of consumption of glycogen andthe like stored in the human body. Accordingly, if one wants to know asteps count, a consumed calorific value or the like corresponding to adirect consumption of the abdominal visceral fat itself, it is necessaryto know a steps count, a consumed calorific value or the like after thestart of consumption of the abdominal visceral fat itself according tothe consumption mechanism of a human body. The certain time period up tothe start of consumption of the abdominal visceral fat itself is aninherent one that is dependent on the kind of exercise such as walking,running, or the like and the constitution or the like of a subject.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function ofthis configuration is capable of measuring such a certain time period asthe fat combustion starting time period. After the fat combustionstarting period is measured, the visceral fat determining devicedetermines a corrected visceral fat consumption ratio as a change inabdominal visceral fat relative to a consumed calorific value consumedafter lapse of the visceral fat consumption starting time period. Fromsuch a corrected visceral fat consumption ratio, one can know the changein abdominal visceral fat relative to the consumed calorific valueconnected with direct consumption of the abdominal visceral fat itself.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the visceral fat consumption ratio, may beconfigured to find the average value of visceral fat consumption ratiosas a result of the determination being performed a plurality of times,or to find the cumulative sum of the visceral fat consumption ratios asa result of the determination being performed plurality times.

Alternatively, the visceral fat determining device with a step-countingfunction, which is capable of determining the corrected visceral fatconsumption ratio, may be configured to find the average value ofcorrected visceral fat consumption ratios as a result of thedetermination being performed a plurality of times, or to find thecumulative sum of the corrected visceral fat consumption ratios as aresult of the determination being performed a plurality of times.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject, may be configured such that:

the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area of the subject is created by statistical processingof correlations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples; and

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is performed using dataincluding the waist size of the subject.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject, may be configured to allow entry of body data ofthe subject including the waist size, height, and weight of the subject,the waist size being the circumferential size of a trunk part of thesubject, wherein:

the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area of the subject is created by statistical processingof correlations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples; and

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is performed using dataincluding the waist size of the subject and a BMI found from the heightand weight of the subject.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject, may be configured to allow entry of body data ofthe subject including the waist size, height, weight, and abdominalsubcutaneous fat thickness of the subject, the waist size being thecircumferential size of a trunk part of the subject, wherein:

the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area of the subject is created by statistical processingof correlations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples; and

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is performed using dataincluding the waist size of the subject, a BMI found from the height andweight of the subject and the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject, may have body fat ratio measurement means capableof determining the body fat ratio of the subject based on the impedanceof the body of the subject that is measured via electrodes brought intocontact with terminals on the body of the subject, wherein:

the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area of the subject is created by statistical processingof correlations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples; and

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is performed using dataincluding the waist size and body fat ratio of the subject.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject, may be configured to allow entry of body data ofthe subject including the waist size and abdominal subcutaneous fatthickness of the subject, the waist size being the circumferential sizeof a trunk part of the subject, and to have body fat ratio measurementmeans capable of determining the body fat ratio of the subject based onthe impedance of the body of the subject that is measured via electrodesbrought into contact with terminals of the body of the subject, wherein:

the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area of the subject is created by statistical processingof correlations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples; and

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is performed using dataincluding the waist size, abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness, and bodyfat ratio of the subject.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject, may be configured to allow entry of body data ofthe subject including the waist size, height, and weight of the subject,the waist size being the circumferential size of a trunk part of thesubject, and to have body fat ratio measurement means capable ofdetermining the body fat ratio of the subject based on the impedance ofthe body of the subject that is measured via electrodes brought intocontact with terminals on the body of the subject, wherein:

the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area is created by statistical processing ofcorrelations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples; and

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is performed using dataincluding the waist size of the subject, a BMI found from the height andweight of the subject, and the body fat ratio of the subject.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject, may be configured to allow entry of body data ofthe subject including the waist size, height, weight, and abdominalsubcutaneous fat thickness of the subject, the waist size being thecircumferential size of a trunk part of the subject, and have body fatratio measurement means capable of determining the body fat ratio of thesubject based on the impedance of the body of the subject that ismeasured via electrodes brought into contact with terminals of the bodyof the subject, wherein:

the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area is created by statistical processing ofcorrelations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples; and

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is performed using dataincluding the waist size of the subject, a BMI found from the height andweight of the subject, and the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness andbody fat ratio of the subject.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function, whichis capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject, may have impedance measurement means capable ofmeasuring the impedance of the body of the subject via electrodesbrought into contact with terminals on the body of the subject, wherein:

the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area of the subject is created by statistical processingof correlations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples; and

the computation based on the computing formula for determining theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is performed using dataincluding the waist size of the subject and the impedance of the body ofthe subject.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function,wherein the computing formula for finding the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area is created by statistical processing ofcorrelations between actual visceral fat cross-sectional areas of alarge number of human bodies as samples that are measured by tomographyof the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data of the humanbodies as the samples, may be configured such that the computation basedon the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area is performed using a correction term based on theage of the subject and/or a correction term based on the sex of thesubject.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a visceral fat determining devicewith a step-counting function.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the visceral fat determining device with astep-counting function.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a visceral fat change computation controlroutine.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for determining a consumed calorific value from awalking speed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing avisceral fat determining device with a step-counting function 10(hereinafter referred to as “visceral fat determining device 10”) as oneembodiment of the present invention. As will be described in detail, thevisceral fat determining device 10 is configured to be capable ofdeterminations in relation to visceral fat in the abdominal part of asubject as well as to have a function as an instrument generally called“passometer.”

That is, the visceral fat determining device 10 is of a construction inwhich members for performing determinations in relation to abdominalvisceral fat and step-counting means functioning as a passometer areintegrally incorporated in a main body 1.

The visceral fat determining device 10 can be carried by a person ineveryday life if the main body 1 is attached to a belt trained aroundthe waist portion of clothing of the person by means of a fitting 11.The main body 1 has a weight and size such as to allow the person tocarry the visceral fat determining device 10 for everyday use.

The visceral fat determining device 10 may be fitted to a human body byattaching the main body 1 to a hat, a necklace, or a pocket or bywinding it around a wrist like a watch, or in other various manners offitting for allowing the visceral fat determining device 10 to becarried on the human body.

The main body 1 is shaped into a card having an obverse side 1 a, areverse side 1 b and four peripheral sides therearound including a frontside 1 c and a rear side 1 d. The obverse side 1 a of the main body 1 isprovided with a manipulation section 6 and a display section 7. In themanipulation section 6 there are provided a switch key 8, a start/stopkey 9 and data entry keys including a select key 5 and a decrement key 4a as manipulation keys.

The switch key 8 is a key for selecting any one of plural functions ofthe visceral fat determining device 10. Specifically, manipulating theswitch key 8 allows selection of use of the visceral fat determiningdevice 10 as a passometer or in a determination relating to visceralfat, or both in combination.

When a mode that combines determinations relating to visceral fat andstep-counting is selected through manipulation of the switch key 8, avisceral fat change computation control routine to be described laterbecomes ready to be executed. The start/stop key 9 is a key for startingor terminating the step counting by step-counting means to be describedlater.

The data entry keys are keys for inputting body data of a subject,including the waist size, weight, and the like of the subject, to thevisceral fat determining device 10. The visceral fat determining device10 is provided with select key 5 for selecting body data items,decrement key 4 a for decreasing numeric data, and increment key 4 b forincreasing numeric data.

Entry of various data comprising numeric data is possible throughmanipulation of the keys 4 a and 5 and like keys. Such data entry keysmay consist of a so-called “numeric keypad.”

Keys 4 a, 4 b, and 5 allow entry of necessary body data in accordancewith the aforementioned functions selected through manipulation of theswitch key 8. Specifically, when the function of visceral fatdeterminations, for example, is selected through manipulation of theswitch key 8, the items that can be selected through the select key 5are body data items to be needed in visceral fat determinations.Alternatively, when use of the visceral fat determining device 10 as apassometer is selected, the items that can be selected through theselect key 5 are body data items that allow the visceral fat determiningdevice 10 to function as a passometer.

The body data items that allow the visceral fat determining device 10 tofunction as a passometer include weight, stride, and unit-consumedcalorific value. On the other hand, the body data items that are neededin visceral fat determinations include waist size, height, weight,abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness, sex, and age. The term “waistsize,” as used herein, means the circumferential size of a trunk part ofthe body of a subject.

Desirably, the circumferential size of a trunk part at or around thefourth lumbar vertebra of a human body is used as the waist size. Thisis because the circumferential size of such a part as the waist size isconsidered to reflect best the condition of obesity and the like of theupper part of the body of a subject.

The term “abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness” is the thickness ofsubcutaneous fat in the abdominal part. The abdominal subcutaneous fatthickness may be one measured by any well known subcutaneous fatthickness measurement means such as a so-called caliper or means usingultrasonic wave.

Such an abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness may be collected from abody part adjacent the navel of a human body or a body part above theilium of the human body. It is possible to employ one of the measuredvalues collected from these two body parts or the mean value of themeasured values as the abdominal subcutaneous thickness.

The display section 7 is adapted to display various body data itemsinputted through manipulation of the aforementioned manipulation keysand the results of determinations in relation to visceral fat or of stepcounting performed when the visceral fat determining device 10 is usedas a passometer. The display section 7 further displays an indication ofthe starting of each determination accompanying the execution of thevisceral fat change computation control routine to be described later,as well as a visceral fat consumption ratio and the like found throughthe execution of the visceral fat change computation control routine.Furthermore, the display section 7 is capable of representing theresults of determinations in relation to visceral fat or of the stepcounting as graphs.

The visceral fat determining device 10 incorporates thereinstep-counting means not particularly shown for the visceral fatdetermining device 10 to function as a passometer. The step-countingmeans may comprise various well-known devices capable of detectingup-and-down movement of a human body involved in human walking orrunning of the human. For example, the step-counting means may comprisea combination of a magnet, a spring and a sensor, a piezo-electrictransducer, an electromagnetic pickup, a Hall effect element, or otherarrangement adapted to detect up-and-down movement of a human body withuse of an accelerometer and summate up-and-down movements thus detectedthereby counting steps. The visceral fat determining device 10 isprovided therein with a clock for measuring a time period elapsed afterthe starting of step counting.

Next, description will be made of blocks associated with the signalprocessing of the visceral fat determining device 10 with reference toFIG. 2. The visceral fat determining device 10 has a computationprocessing section 20 for performing various computations, thecomputation processing section 20 comprising a computing section 21 anda storage section 22. Specifically, the computation processing section20 performs computations related to visceral fat determinations based onvarious body data items, computations for finding an amount of exerciseinvolved in walking, running, or the like, type of exercise, and aconsumed calorific value consumed by such exercise, and computations inrelation to a change in abdominal visceral fat relative to the amount ofexercise or the consumed calorific value.

The storage section 22 is adapted to store body data of a subject suchas the waist size, weight, and height of the subject inputted throughmanipulation of, for example, the manipulation key 4 a of the data entrysection. The storage section 22 is adapted to further store the numberof steps counted by the step-counting means comprising a step sensor 13and a step-counting section 14, as well as a time period measured by theclock 23.

The storage section 22 also stores a computing formula for finding theBMI of a subject and, hence, the visceral fat determining device 10 iscapable of finding the BMI. A BMI can be found relatively easily as anindicator of obesity from the formula: (weight)/(height)². Once the BMIis found, it is subjected to data processing as one body data itemcharacteristic of the body of the subject.

The storage section 22 also stores computing formulae to be used forestimation of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area of thesubject as quantitative information about the abdominal visceral fat ofthe subject through a computation based on various body data items. Thefollowing formulae (1) to (3) are stored as such computing formulae tobe used for estimation of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of the subject through a computation.VA=a ₁ ·W _(L) +c ₁  (1)VA=a ₂ ·W _(L) +b ₁·BMI+c₂  (2)VA=a ₄ ·W _(L) +b ₂·BMI+e₁ ·s+c ₄  (3)

In the formulae (1) to (3), VA represents an abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area, W_(L) represents a waist size, and s represents anabdominal subcutaneous fat thickness.

In the formulae (1) to (3), a₁, a₂, a₄, b₁, b₂, c₁, c₂, c₄, and e₁ arecoefficients obtained in the processes of creating these formulaeaccording to methods to be described later.

The abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (VA) found through acomputation based on any one of the formulae (1) to (3) is thecross-sectional area of fat present in the visceral part in theabdominal cavity of a human body. More specifically, the abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area (VA) is the cross-sectional area of afat portion adhering to internal organs and their periphery cut alongany cross section between a cross section cut through the position ofthe first lumbar vertebra of a human body in an erected position orthrough a point adjacent thereto and a cross-section cut through theposition of the fifth lumbar vertebra of the human body in the erectedposition or through a point adjacent thereto.

In finding such an abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area, it isparticularly desirable to find the visceral fat cross-sectional areaalong a cross-section cut through the position of a middle portion ofthe fourth lumbar vertebra. This is because the visceral fatcross-sectional area along such a cross-section is considered to highlycorrelate with the amount of visceral fat in the abdominal part of ahuman body.

The formulae (1) to (3) are created in the following manner separately.

That is, the actual abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area of eachindividual of an unspecified number of human bodies serving as samplesand various items of body data to be used in the formulae (1) to (3)noted above is determined. Subsequently, assumption is made that thebody data items to be used in each computing formula and the actualabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area have correlations with eachother, which are then statistically processed to create each of theformulae (1) to (3).

Referring to the creation of the formulae (1) to (3) more specifically,assumption is made that the actual abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area determined of each individual of the samples hascorrelations with the waist size of that individual with each other, andthe correlations are statistically processed to create the formula (1).In the formula (1), the coefficient a₁ with respect to W_(L) is thefirst regression coefficient of waist size, and the coefficient c₁ is afirst regression coefficient.

With respect to formula (2), assumption is made that the actualabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area determined of eachindividual of the samples has correlations with the waist size and BMIof that individual, and the correlations are statistically processed tocreate the formula (2). In the formula (2), the coefficient a₂ withrespect to W_(L) is the second regression coefficient of waist size, thecoefficient b₁ with respect to BMI is the first regression coefficientof BMI, and the coefficient c₂ is a second regression coefficient.

With respect to formula (3), assumption is made that the actualabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area determined of eachindividual of the samples has correlations with the waist size, BMI andabdominal subcutaneous fat thickness of that individual, and thecorrelations are statistically processed to create the formula (3). Inthe formula (3), the coefficient a₄ with respect to W_(L) is the fourthregression coefficient of waist size, the coefficient b₂ with respect toBMI is the second regression coefficient of BMI, the coefficient e₁ withrespect to s is the first regression coefficient of abdominalsubcutaneous fat thickness, and the coefficient c₄ is a fourthregression coefficient.

The determination of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area ofa human body serving as a sample can be achieved by tomography. The partof a human body at which the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areaof the human body is to be determined is selected so as to correspond tothe body part at which the VA is to be determined by the visceral fatdetermining device 10. As described above, it is particularly desirableto select a cross-section cut through the position of a middle portionof the fourth lumbar vertebra.

It is possible to use various tomographic methods that are capable ofaccurately measuring a cross section of the abdominal part of a humanbody such as CT-scan, MRI, and ultrasonic diagnostics as methods to beemployed in determination of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of a human body as a sample.

In creating the formulae (2) and (3) the statistical processing of thecorrelations between two or more body data items and an abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area can be achieved by multiple linearregression analysis.

In creating the formulae (1) to (3) the number of human bodies servingas samples for collecting abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areasand body data is desirably 100 or more in view of statistical processingof abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areas. More desirably, thenumber of human bodies is 500 or more.

With the formula (1) it is possible to determine the VA of a subjectwhich reflects the waist size of the subject because computation isperformed using data including the waist size of the subject as bodydata of the subject.

With the formula (2) it is possible to determine the VA of a subjectwhich reflects the waist size and BMI of the subject because computationis performed using data including the waist size and BMI of the subjectas body data of the subject.

With the formula (3) it is possible to determine the VA of a subjectwhich reflects the waist size, BMI and abdominal subcutaneous fatthickness of the subject because computation is performed using dataincluding the waist size, BMI, and abdominal subcutaneous fat thicknessof the subject as body data of the subject.

Of the formulae (1) to (3) noted above one for determining the VA of asubject from a larger number of body data items is capable ofdetermining the VA more accurately because it allows the body conditionof the subject to be reflected more precisely from more differentangles.

It is possible to add a correction term based on the age of a subject ora correction term based on the sex of the subject to each of theformulae (1) to (3). Correction term Yc based on the age of the subjectand correction term Xc based on the sex of the subject are representedby the following formulae (4) and (5), respectively.Yc=−δ·age  (4)Xc=η·sex  (5)

In the formula (4), age is the age of a subject, and δ is an agecorrection coefficient. In the formula (5), sex is a variable whichvaries according to whether the subject is a man or a woman, and η is asex correction coefficient. If these correction terms are added to eachof the formulae (1) and (3), they are defined and used as variable termsof a multiple linear regression formula. Accordingly, δ and age in theformula (4) can be found as a regression variable and a variable,respectively, based on their correlations with an estimate equation forestimating VA, while η and sex in the formula (5) can be found as aregression coefficient and a variable, respectively, based on theircorrelations with an estimate equation for estimating VA.

If the correction term Yc of the formula (4) or the correction term Xcof the formula (5) is added to each of the formulae (1) to (3) todetermine VA, the VA thus determined reflects personal characteristicsof the subject more precisely based on the age or sex of the subject.

It is possible to add either or both of the correction terms Xc and Ycto each of the formulae (1) to (3). If the correction terms Xc and Ycare both added to each of the formulae (1) to (3) to determine VA, theVA thus determined reflects personal characteristics of the subject muchmore precisely.

The storage section 22 stores the visceral fat change computationcontrol routine. When the visceral fat change computation controlroutine is executed, the visceral fat determining device 10 gives theuser an indication of abdominal visceral fat determination and anindication of the start of step counting while performing a computationto find the amount of a change in visceral fat with consumption ofvisceral fat caused by exercise such as walking.

Next, description will be made of an exemplary operation of the visceralfat determining device 10 by way of an example of usage that allows theuser to know the amount of a change in abdominal visceral fat caused bywalking or like exercise. When the switch key 8 is manipulated, adetermination mode is selected in which a combined function of visceralfat determination and step counting can be executed. This causes thevisceral fat change computation control routine shown in FIG. 3 to beexecuted.

First, necessary items of body data of a subject such as the height,weight, age, sex, and stride of the subject are inputted to the visceralfat determining device 10 (step S1). In the case where a computationbased on the formula (3) is performed to determine the abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area of the subject at later step S4, theabdominal subcutaneous fat thickness of the subject is also inputted tothe visceral fat determining device 10.

Subsequently, the starting of determination related to the visceral fatof the subject is instructed (step S2). According to this indication(step S2, Y), the waist size of the subject is inputted (step S3).

In turn, a first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (VA1) isdetermined through a computation based on the waist size inputted atstep S3 (step S4). The computation for determining the first abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area VA1 at step S4 is based on theformulae (1) to (5). The first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea VA1 thus determined is stored and can be displayed at the displaysection 7.

Then, an indication to inquire whether visceral fat determination is tobe terminated or not is given (step S5). If the visceral fatdetermination is to be terminated (step S5, Y), an indication is givento inquire whether step counting is to be started or not (step S6).According to the indication (step S6, Y), the subject manipulates thestart/stop key 9 to make the step-counting means ready to count steps.Thus, steps involved in walking or like exercise done by the subject arecounted (step S7).

Subsequently, an indication is given to inquire whether the counting ofsteps is to be stopped or not (step S8). When the subject manipulatesthe start/stop key 9 to stop the step counting (step 8, Y), the stepcounting is stopped (step S9). The number of steps thus counted isstored as step-count data and can be displayed at the display section 7(step S10). In addition, a computation is performed to find a consumedcalorific value (K) that has been consumed from the body of the subjectby the exercise involving such a steps count. The consumed calorificvalue thus found is stored and can be displayed at the display section 7(step S10). The consumed calorific value found at step S10 is theproduct of a steps count X a stride X a weight X a unit consumedcalorific value (a calorific value consumed per unit weight and unitwalking distance).

In turn, the starting of determination related to the visceral fat ofthe subject is instructed again (step S11). According to this indication(step S11, Y), the waist size of the subject is inputted (step S12).

Subsequently, a second abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (VA2)is determined through a computation based on the waist size inputted atstep S12 (step S13). The computation for determining the secondabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area VA2 at step S13 is performedusing the same one of the formulae (1) to (5) as used to determine thefirst abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area VA1 at step S4. Thesecond abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area VA2 thus determinedis stored and can be displayed at the display section 7.

In turn, the amount of a change in abdominal visceral fat (ΔVA) causedby exercise such as walking is computed based on the first and secondabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areas VA1 and VA2 (step S14). Theamount of the change in abdominal visceral fat can be stored anddisplayed at the display section 7. A computation is then performed tofind a fat consumption ratio (ΔVA/K) based on the amount of the changein abdominal visceral fat (ΔVA) and the consumed calorific value (K)(step S15). The fat consumption ratio thus found is stored and can bedisplayed at the display section 7 (step S15).

The foregoing description has been made of the operation for determiningthe relationship between a consumed calorific value determined based onstep-count data and the amount of a change in abdominal visceral fat asan exemplary operation for determining a change in abdominal visceralfat before and after exercise. Besides this operation, it is possible toperform operations for obtaining various data representing therelationship between step-count data and a change in abdominal visceralfat. For example, it is possible to perform an operation for determininga step count itself and a change in abdominal visceral fat before andafter exercise. This operation also allows the user to know how muchchange in abdominal visceral fat is caused by a fixed steps count.

Alternatively, it is possible to perform an operation for determiningthe relationship between a steps count and an abdominal visceral fatamount determined through an approximating computation based on anabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area. After all, any operation ispossible as long as it can determine the relationship between an amountof exercise based on and reflected by step-count data and anyquantitative change in abdominal visceral fat.

The visceral fat determining device 10 is also capable of determining aconsumed calorific value consumed in the body of a subject from awalking speed (or running speed), which is a traveling speed of thesubject. If the procedure from step S6 to step S10 in the visceral fatchange computation control routine shown in FIG. 3 is replaced with theprocedure from step S16 to step S25 shown in FIG. 4, it is possible todetermine a consumed calorific value consumed in the body of the subjectfrom a walking speed of the subject. Specifically, an indication isgiven to inquire whether step counting is to be started or not (stepS16), and then according to this indication (step S16, Y) the subjectmanipulates the start/stop key 9 is make the passometer ready to countsteps. Subsequently, counting of walking time is started (step S17), andthe number of steps is counted (step S18).

In turn, an indication is given to inquire whether the step counting isto be terminated or not (step S19). When the subject manipulates thestart/stop key 9 to stop the step counting (step 19, Y), the stepcounting is terminated (step S20). The number of steps thus counted isstored as step-count data and can be displayed at the display section 7(step S20). The counting of time is also stopped (step S21). The timethus counted, which is a walking time period taken for the subject totravel a walking distance to be determined later, is stored and can bedisplayed at the display section 7 (step S21).

In turn, the walking distance, which is the distance the subject hastraveled, is determined (step S22). The walking distance is computed asthe product of a steps count by a stride. The average walking speed,which is the average traveling speed, is computed from the walkingdistance determined at step S22 and the walking time period determinedat step S21 (step S23). Subsequently, the amount of consumed energy(unit calorific value (Kcal/Kg/min) is determined (step S24). Theconsumed calorific value is then determined (step S25). The consumedcalorific value thus determined is the product of the unit calorificvalue determined at step 24 X the walking time period X the weight ofthe subject.

When the fat consumption ratio is stored at step 15 described above, itcan be stored together with attendant conditions under which the changein visceral fat has been determined; for example, the kind of exercisesuch as walking or running, the time zone in which the exercise has beendone, and conditions before and after a meal taken after the exercisehas been done. It is also possible that the fat consumption ratio isgraphically displayed at the display section 7 as a parameter under suchattendant conditions.

If the fat consumption ratio is stored at step S15, it is possible inthe next-time determination of one of the amounts of a change invisceral fat caused by exercise such as walking, and a consumedcalorific value consumed by exercise such as walking that the other isdetermined from the determined one and the fat consumption ratio stored.Based on fat consumption ratios determined at step S15, it is alsopossible that the cumulative sum of the fat consumption ratios found byindividual determinations is found or that the average of the fatconsumption ratios found as a result of a plurality of determinations isfound. Since the cumulative sum of such fat consumption ratios reflectsthe amount of abdominal visceral fat cumulatively consumed over apredetermined period, the cumulative sum can be conveniently utilized inestimating the degree of achievement of an objective which isestablished as a target consumption of fat over the predeterminedperiod. On the other hand, since the average of fat consumption ratiosreflects an average consumption of fat over the predetermined period,the average of fat consumption ratios allows the user easily toappreciate the state of average fat consumption over the predeterminedperiod.

Further, it is possible to find a steps count, walking distance, andconsumed calorific value which are required to consume a given amount ofabdominal visceral fat as a target (target fat consumption amount) fromthe fat consumption ratio stored at step S15 and the steps count andconsumed calorific value stored at step S10. The visceral fatdetermining device 10 may be configured to allow such a target fatconsumption amount to be established before exercise such as walking andto display an indication that the target fat consumption amount has beenreached at the display section 7 or to notify the user of the attainmentof the target fat consumption amount by means of an alarm such as abuzzer.

The foregoing description has been directed to a configuration adaptedto determine abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areas before thestarting of step counting and after the termination of step counting andthen determine a change in abdominal visceral fat caused by exercisesuch as walking on the basis of the two abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional areas determined before and after exercise such aswalking and the step-count data. Consumption of the abdominal visceralfat of a human body starts not just after the starting of exercise, butalso after lapse of a certain time period from the starting ofconsumption of glycogen and the like stored in the human body.

Accordingly, if one wants to know a steps count, or a consumed calorificvalue or the like corresponding to the amount of abdominal visceral fatdirectly consumed, it is necessary to know a steps count, a consumedcalorific value, or the like, determined after the start of consumptionof the abdominal visceral fat itself according to the consumptionmechanism of a human body. The relationship between the consumption ofabdominal visceral fat itself and such a steps count or consumedcalorific value can be determined by the following procedure forexample.

The first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area is determinedbefore the start of step counting. When the counting of steps involvedin exercise such as walking starts, determinations of abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area are sequentially performed at predeterminedtime intervals and the results of the determinations are stored togetherwith the corresponding time periods and steps counts. The abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional areas determined at such predetermined timeintervals are sequentially compared with the first abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area until a difference therebetween is detected.Once the difference is detected, the comparison is stopped. Thedetection of such a difference from the first abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area by comparison means that consumption of abdominalvisceral fat begins. The time period up to the detection of such adifference is a time period from the start of exercise such as walkingup to the start of abdominal visceral fat consumption (referred to as“visceral fat combustion starting time period”).

A consumed calorific value based on a steps count counted after lapse ofsuch a visceral fat combustion starting time period is directly relatedto consumption of abdominal visceral fat itself. It is also possible tofind a corrected fat consumption ratio relative to the consumption ofabdominal visceral fat itself from such a visceral fat combustionstarting time period and the second abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area determined after the termination of the stepcounting. Such a visceral fat combustion starting time period can bestored with the kind of exercise such as walking or running. In thenext-time determination of a fat consumption ratio it is possible tofind a corrected fat consumption ratio relative to the consumption ofabdominal visceral fat itself with use of an abdominal visceral fatcombustion starting time period according to the kind of exercise.

In the foregoing description, a consumed calorific value correspondingto an amount of exercise involved in exercise such as walking done bythe subject is determined based on values determined in the state of thesubject doing exercise such as a steps count involved in such exerciseand a walking time period as determined at step S10 in FIG. 3 or at stepS25 in FIG. 4.

In relation to the determination of such a consumed calorific value as aresult of exercise such as walking, the amount of exercise correspondingto the consumed calorific value can also be determined in the followingmanner. That is, the subject counts his or her heart rate or pulsesafter the termination of exercise such as walking through palpation, anda time period up to a predetermined count is measured with the clock 23.The computation processing section 20 performs a computation to find aheart rate or the number of pulses per unit time from the predeterminedcount of heart rate or the like and the time period measured.

Further, the amount of exercise can be found if the intensity ofexercise is determined based on the heat rate or the like per unit timethus found. The determination of an amount of exercise involved inexercise such as walking in this manner allows the degree of intensityof exercise such as walking and the personal characteristics of asubject to be taken into account and hence makes it possible todetermine the amount of exercise more accurately.

As described above, the visceral fat determining device with astep-counting function according to the present invention is portableand hence is capable of determining abdominal visceral fat and countingthe number of steps involved in exercise such as daily walking. Further,the visceral fat determining device is capable of easily determining achange in visceral fat caused by exercise such as walking and therelationship between the amount of exercise and the amount of the changein abdominal visceral fat.

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting functiondescribed above may be incorporated integrally with various membershaving portability in addition to the members functioning as apassometer and a visceral fat determining device. For example, thevisceral fat determining device may be incorporated with a stopwatch,night lamp, electronic calculator, lighter, mechanical pencil, tiepin,thermometer, a distance meter for use in golf courses, or the like. Thevisceral fat determining device thus incorporated with such a member isconvenient because the member exercises its function as one of thefunctions of the visceral fat determining device. It is also possible toincorporate a pulse meter, sphygmomanometer, clinical thermometer, orthe like having portability into and integrally with the visceral fatdetermining device. By so doing, the visceral fat determining device canbe used also as a motor ability checker.

The visceral fat determining device 10 described above may be configuredto judge whether a subject has the possibility of developing any one ofdiseases that are likely to be caused by obesity of the subject's bodybased on body data of the subject inputted or obtained bydeterminations.

Specifically, criterial reference values including a criterial referencevalue J_(BM) of BMI, a criterial reference value J_(WS) of waist size,and a criterial reference value J_(NZ) of abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area are previously stored in the storage section 22.The visceral fat determining device 10 compares the BMI, waist size, andabdominal cross-sectional area of the subject with the criterialreference values J_(BM), J_(WS), and J_(NZ), respectively.

If each of the BMI, waist size, and abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area of the subject is not less than the correspondingcriterial reference value, the subject is judged to have the possibilityof developing a disease, whereas if it is less than the correspondingcriterial reference value, the subject is judged to have no possibilityof developing the disease. The visceral fat determining device 10 may beconfigured to cause the display section 7 to display each of thejudgments, respectively, based on the BMI, waist size, and abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area of the subject. Alternatively, thevisceral fat determining device 10 may be configured to cause thedisplay section 7 to display a symbol “∘” representing a judgment on anitem having a value less than the corresponding criterial referencevalue or a symbol “x” representing a judgment on an item having a valuenot less than the corresponding criterial reference value.

Diseases, the possibility of which can be judged based on the BMI, waistsize, and abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area of a subject,include impaired glucose tolerance such as diabetes, as well ashypertension, lipid metabolic disorder, hyperuricemia, and heartdiseases (electrocardiogram disorder).

The visceral fat determining device 10 may be provided withsize-measuring means not particularly shown in FIG. 1 for measuring thewaist size of a subject. One example of such size-measuring meanscomprises a measure that is fitted to the visceral fat determiningdevice 10 so as to be accommodated within the visceral fat determiningdevice 10 and allows the subject to know his or her waist size if themeasure is drawn out of the visceral fat determining device 10 andtrained around a body part to be measured.

The visceral fat determining device 10 thus provided with thesize-measuring means is capable of reliably measuring the waist size ofthe subject in using the visceral fat determining device 10 without theneed for separately providing another measure for measuring the waistsize and hence is capable of reliably measuring the latest waist size atthe time of determination with a high precision.

The visceral fat determining device 10 provided with the size-measuringmeans may be configured such that, when the measure is being trainedaround a waist part to be measured to obtain the measurement, data ofthe waist size thus measured is automatically inputted to thecomputation processing section 20 and stored in the storage section 22in response to an operation of the manipulation section 6. Such aconfiguration allows such a measured waist size to be inputted to thevisceral fat determining device 10 without the need of manipulation ofthe manipulation section 6 by the subject, thereby easing the entry ofthe waist size.

Though the foregoing description is directed to the embodimentconfigured to perform a computation to determine the abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area (VA) of a subject using data including thewaist size, BMI, and the like of the subject based on the formulae (1)to (5), the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (VA) can also bedetermined through a computation using data including the body fat ratioof the subject as one body data item.

The following description is directed to an embodiment configured to becapable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areaof a subject on the assumption that the body fat ratio of the subjectalso correlates with the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area.The following formulae (6) to (9) can be stored in the storage section22 of the visceral fat determining device 10 described above ascomputing formulae to be used for estimation of the abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area of a subject through computation.VA=a ₃ ·W _(L) +d ₁·FAT+c ₃  (6)VA=a ₅ ·W _(L) +d ₂·FAT+e ₂ ·s+c ₅  (7)VA=a ₆ ·W _(L) +b ₃·BMI+d₃·FAT+c ₉  (8)VA=a ₇ ·W _(L) +b ₄·BMI+d₄·FAT+e ₃ ·s+c ₁₀  (9)

In the formulae (6) to (9), FAT represents a body fat ratio (%), and a₃,a₅, a₆, a₇, b₃, b₄, C₃, c₅, c₉, c₁₀, d₁, d₂, d₃, d₄, e₂ and e₃ arecoefficients obtained in the processes of creating these formulae basedon statistical processing to be described later.

The formula (6) can be created by assuming that the actual abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area determined of each individual of thesamples has correlations with the waist size (W_(L)) and FAT of thatindividual and statistically processing the correlations. In the formula(6), the coefficient a₃ with respect to W_(L) is the third regressioncoefficient of waist size, the coefficient d₁ with respect to FAT is thefirst regression coefficient of body fat ratio, and the coefficient c₃is a third regression coefficient.

The formula (7) can be created by assuming that the actual abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area determined of each individual of thesamples has correlations with the waist size, FAT, and abdominalsubcutaneous fat thickness of that individual and statisticallyprocessing the correlations. In the formula (7), the coefficient a₅ withrespect to W_(L) is the fifth regression coefficient of waist size, thecoefficient d₂ with respect to FAT is the second regression coefficientof body fat ratio, the coefficient e₂ with respect to s is the secondregression coefficient of abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness, and thecoefficient c₅ is a fifth regression coefficient.

The formula (8) can be created by assuming that the actual abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area determined of each individual of thesamples has correlations with the waist size, BMI, and FAT of thatindividual and statistically processing the correlations. In the formula(8), the coefficient a₆ with respect to W_(L) is the sixth regressioncoefficient of waist size, the coefficient b₃ with respect to BMI is thethird regression coefficient of BMI, the coefficient d₃ with respect toFAT is the third regression coefficient of body fat ratio, and thecoefficient c₅ is a ninth regression coefficient.

The formula (9) can be created by assuming that the actual abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area determined of each individual of thesamples has correlations with the waist size, BMI, FAT, and abdominalsubcutaneous fat thickness of that individual and statisticallyprocessing the correlations. In the formula (9), the coefficient a₇ withrespect to W_(L) is the seventh regression coefficient of waist size,the coefficient b₄ with respect to BMI is the fourth regressioncoefficient of BMI, the coefficient d₄ with respect to FAT is the fourthregression coefficient of body fat ratio, the coefficient e₃ withrespect to s is the third regression coefficient of abdominalsubcutaneous fat thickness, and the coefficient c₁₀ is a tenthregression coefficient.

The determination of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area ofa human body serving as a sample in the creation of the formulae (6) to(9) can be achieved by tomography as in the creation of the formulae (1)to (3), and the statistical processing of the correlations between twoor more body data items and an abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea can be achieved by multiple linear regression analysis.

In creating the formulae (6) to (9) the number of human bodies servingas samples for collecting abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areasand body data is desirably 100 or more, more desirably 500 or more, asin the creation of the formulae (1) to (3).

With the formula (6) described above, it is possible to determine the VAof a subject which reflects the waist size and FAT of the subjectbecause computation is performed using data including the waist size andFAT of the subject as body data of the subject.

With the formula (7) it is possible to determine the VA of a subjectwhich reflects the waist size, FAT, and abdominal subcutaneous fatthickness of the subject because computation is performed using dataincluding the waist size, FAT, and abdominal subcutaneous fat thicknessthe subject as body data of the subject.

With the formula (8) it is possible to determine the VA of a subjectwhich reflects the waist size, BMI, and FAT of the subject becausecomputation is performed using data including the waist size, BMI, andFAT of the subject as body data of the subject.

With the formula (9) it is possible to determine the VA of a subjectwhich reflects the waist size, BMI, FAT, and abdominal subcutaneous fatthickness of the subject because computation is performed using dataincluding the waist size, BMI, FAT, and abdominal subcutaneous fatthickness the subject as body data of the subject.

Of the formulae (6) to (9) noted above, one for determining the VA of asubject with a larger number of body data items is capable ofdetermining the VA more accurately because it allows the body conditionof the subject to be reflected more precisely from additional differentangles.

It is possible to add the foregoing correction term of the formula (4)based on the age of a subject or the foregoing correction term of theformula (5) based on the sex of the subject to each of the formulae (6)to (9). If the correction term Yc of the formula (4) or the correctionterm Xc of the formula (5) is added to each of the formulae (6) to (9)to determine the VA of the subject, the VA thus determined reflectspersonal characteristics of the subject more precisely based on the ageor sex of the subject.

It is possible to add either or both of the correction terms Xc and Ycto each of the formulae (6) to (9). If the correction terms Xc and Ycare both added to each of the formulae (6) to (9) to determine the VA,the VA thus determined reflects personal characteristics of the subjectmuch more precisely.

Body fat ratio (FAT) data used in computations based on the foregoingformulae (6) and (9) may be such data determined by means of a separatebody fat determining device or the like and inputted as one body dataitem to the visceral fat determining device 10 through the manipulationsection 6. Alternatively, the visceral fat determining device 10 may beprovided with body fat ratio measurement means for obtaining body fatratio data to be used in the computations based on the formulae (6) to(9).

Such body fat ratio measurement means can be provided in the visceralfat determining device 10 as follows. A pair of electrodes are disposedso that one finger of each of the subject's right and left hands holdingthe main body 1 of the visceral fat determining device 10 can contactthe pair of electrodes, while another pair of electrodes disposed sothat another finger of each of the subject's right and left hands cancontact the aforesaid another pair of electrodes.

The former pair of electrodes are used as a pair of current path formingelectrodes through which a current path is formed between both hands asterminals of a human body, while the aforesaid another pair ofelectrodes used as a pair of voltage-measuring electrodes through whicha potential difference between the both hands is measured.

The pair of current path-forming electrodes are electrically connectedto a current source to form a current path in the human body, while thepair of voltage-measuring electrodes electrically connected tovoltage-measuring means to measure the voltage across thevoltage-measuring electrodes, thereby measuring the impedance betweenthe both hands of the subject.

In determining the body fat ratio of a subject body data such as theweight, height, sex, and age of the subject, as well as the impedance ofthe subject, is necessary. For this reason, the visceral fat determiningdevice 10 has to be configured to allow entry of all the necessary bodydata items through the manipulation section 6 without lack.

Further, a predetermined computing formula for finding a body fat ratiofrom such an impedance and body data through a computation is stored inthe storage section 22 to allow the computation section 20 to performthe computation to find the body fat ratio.

An embodiment of the visceral fat determining device with astep-counting function according to the present invention may beconfigured to be capable of determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area (VA) of a human body through a computation usingdata including an item related to the impedance of the human body.

The following description is directed to such an embodiment configuredto be capable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea of a subject on the assumption that the impedance of the body ofthe subject also correlates with the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area. The following formula (10) is stored in thestorage section 22 of the visceral fat determining device 10 describedabove as a computing formula for a computation to estimate the abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area (VA) to be stored in the storagesection 22.VA=a ₈ ·W _(L) +g ₁·(T _(L) ² /Z)+c ₁₁  (10)

In the formula (10), Z represents the impedance of a human body, T_(L)represents the height of the subject, and a₈, g₁, and c₁₁ arecoefficients obtained in the process of creating this formula based onstatistical processing to be described later.

With the formula (10) it is possible to determine the abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area (VA) of a subject from the waist size of thesubject and the term ((T_(L))²/Z) which is obtained by dividing thesquare of the value of the height of the subject by the impedance of thebody of the subject. In the formula (10), ((T_(L))²/Z) is the data itemrelated to the impedance of a human body.

The formula (10) can be created by assuming that the actual abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area determined of each individual of thesamples has correlations with the waist size and ((T_(L))²/Z) of thatindividual and statistically processing the correlations. In the formula(10), the coefficient a₈ with respect to W_(L) is the eighth regressioncoefficient of waist size, the coefficient g₁ with respect to((T_(L))²/Z) is the first regression coefficient of ((T_(L))²/Z), andthe coefficient c₁₁ is an eleventh regression coefficient.

The determination of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area ofa human body serving as a sample in the creation of the formula (10) canalso be achieved by tomography as in the creation of the formulae (1) to(3), and the statistical processing of the correlations between two ormore body data items and an abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areacan be achieved by multiple linear regression analysis.

In creating the formula (10) the number of human bodies serving assamples for collecting abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areas andbody data is desirably 100 or more, more desirably 500 or more, as inthe creation of the formulae (1) to (3).

With the formula (10) described above, it is possible to determine theVA of a subject which reflects the waist size and ((T_(L))²/Z) of thesubject because computation is performed using data including the waistsize and ((T_(L))²/Z) of the subject as body data of the subject.

It is possible to add the foregoing correction term of the formula (4)based on the age of a subject or the foregoing correction term of theformula (5) based on the sex of the subject to the formula (10) to theformula (10). If the correction term Yc of the formula (4) or thecorrection term Xc of the formula (5) is added to the formula (10) todetermine the VA of the subject, the VA thus determined reflectspersonal characteristics of the subject more precisely based on the ageor sex of the subject.

It is possible to add either or both of the correction terms Xc and Ycto the formula (10). If the correction terms Xc and Yc are both added tothe formula (10) to determine the VA, the VA thus determined reflectspersonal characteristics of the subject much more precisely.

Impedance data used in the computation based on the foregoing formula(10) may be such data determined by means of a separate device or thelike and inputted as one body data item to the visceral fat determiningdevice 10 through the manipulation section 6.

Alternatively, the visceral fat determining device 10 may be providedwith body fat ratio measurement means and configured to allow the dataof an impedance measured by impedance measurement means 12 included inthe body fat ratio measurement means to be inputted to the computationprocessing section 20 and used in the computation.

The following formula (11) can be created as a computing formula fordetermining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (VA) of asubject if an impedance (Z) is used as the body data item related toimpedance.VA=a ₉ ·W _(L) +g ₂ ·Z+c ₁₂  (11)

In the formula (11), a₉, g₂ and c₁₂ are coefficients obtained in theprocess of creating this formula (11) based on statistical processing.

As described regarding the formula (10), the formula (11) can be createdby assuming that the actual abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional areadetermined of each individual of the samples has correlations with thewaist size and impedance (Z) of that individual and statisticallyprocessing the correlations. In the formula (11), the coefficient a₂with respect to W_(L) is the ninth regression coefficient of waist size,the coefficient g₂ with respect to (Z) is the second regressioncoefficient of impedance (Z), and the coefficient c₁₂ is a twelfthregression coefficient.

The determination of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area ofa human body serving as a sample in the creation of the formula (11) canbe achieved by tomography as in the creation of the foregoing formulae,and the statistical processing of the correlations between two or morebody data items and an abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area canbe achieved by multiple linear regression analysis. The number of humanbodies serving as samples is desirably 100 or more, more desirably 500or more.

With the formula (11) it is possible to determine the VA of a subjectwhich reflects the waist size and impedance of the subject because thecomputation for determining the VA is performed using data including thewaist size and impedance of the subject as body data of the subject. Theentry of the data of an impedance to be used in the computation based onthe formula (11) can be achieved in the same manner as with the formula(10); that is, the data of an impedance may be inputted through themanipulation section 6, or the visceral fat determining device 10 isprovided with body fat ratio measurement means and the data of animpedance measured by impedance measurement means 12 included in thebody fat ratio measurement means is inputted to the computationprocessing section 20 and used in the computation.

It is possible to add the foregoing correction term of the formula (4)or the correction term of the formula (5) to the formula (11). If so,the VA determined reflects personal characteristics of the subject moreprecisely based on the age or sex of the subject. It is possible to addeither or both of the correction terms Xc and Yc to the formula (11). Ifthe correction terms Xc and Yc are both added to the formula (11), theVA determined reflects personal characteristics of the subject much moreprecisely.

Further, the visceral fat determining device with a step-countingfunction according to the present invention may be configured to becapable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area(VA) of a human body based on the assumption that (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age)and (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·FAT) have correlation with each other. The followingformula (12) is stored in the storage section 22 of the visceral fatdetermining device 10 described above as a computing formula forestimating the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (VA) of asubject through a computation.VA=i ₁ ·W _(L) ² ·T _(L)·age+h ₁ ·W _(L) ² ·T _(L)·FAT−c₁₃  (12)

In the formula (12), W_(L) represents the waist size of the subject,T_(L) represents the height of the subject, age represents the age ofthe subject, and FAT represents the body fat ratio of the subject.Further, in the formula (12), i₁, h₁, and c₁₃ are coefficients obtainedin the process of creating this formula based on statistical processingto be described later.

The formula (12) can be created by assuming that the actual abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area determined of each individual of thesamples has correlations with (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age) and (W_(L)²·T_(L)·FAT) of that individual and statistically processing thecorrelations. In the formula (12), the coefficient i₁ with respect to(W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age) is the first regression coefficient of (W_(L)²·T_(L)·age), the coefficient h₁ with respect to (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·FAT) isthe first regression coefficient of (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·FAT), and thecoefficient c₁₃ is a thirteenth regression coefficient.

With the formula (12), it is possible to obtain an estimated value of VAaccurately if the subject is a man. Accordingly, in the case where thesex of the subject inputted through the manipulation section 7 is male,selection of the formula (12) makes it possible to find an estimatedvalue of VA of a male subject accurately

With the formula (12) it is also possible to determine the VA of thesubject which reflects (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age) and (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·FAT) ofthe subject because the computation is performed using data including(W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age) and (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·FAT) of the subject as body dataof the subject.

Alternatively, the visceral fat determining device with a step-countingfunction according to the present invention may be configured to becapable of determining the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area(VA) of a human body based on the assumption that (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age)and the body fat ratio FAT of the subject have correlation with eachother. The following formula (13) is stored in the storage section 22 ofthe visceral fat determining device 10 described above as a computingformula for estimating the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area(VA) of a subject through a computation.VA=i ₂ ·W _(L) ² ·T _(L)·age+d ₅·FAT−c ₁₄  (13)

In the formula (13), W_(L) represents the waist size of a subject, T_(L)represents the height of the subject, age represents the age of thesubject, and FAT represents the body fat ratio of the subject. Further,in the formula (13), i₂, d₅ and c₁₄ are coefficients obtained in theprocess of creating this formula based on statistical processing to bedescribed later.

The formula (13) can be created by assuming that the actual abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area determined of each individual of thesamples has correlations with (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age) and FAT of thatindividual and statistically processing the correlations. In the formula(13), the coefficient i₂ with respect to (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age) is thesecond regression coefficient of (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age), the coefficient d₅with respect to FAT is the fifth regression coefficient of body fatratio FAT, and the coefficient c₁₄ is a fourteenth regressioncoefficient.

With the formula (13), it is possible to obtain an estimated value of VAaccurately if the subject is a woman. Accordingly, in the case where thesex of the subject inputted through the manipulation section 7 isfemale, selection of the formula (13) makes it possible to find anestimated value of VA of a female subject accurately.

With the formula (13), it is also possible to determine the VA of thesubject which reflects (W_(L) ²·T_(L)·age) and FAT of the subjectbecause the computation is performed using data including (W_(L)²·T_(L)·age) and FAT of the subject as body data of the subject.

The determination of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area ofa human body serving as a sample in the creation of the formulae (12)and (13) can be achieved by tomography as in the foregoing formula, andthe statistical processing of the correlations between two or more bodydata items and an abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area can beachieved by multiple linear regression analysis. The number of humanbodies serving as samples is desirably 100 or more, more desirably 500or more.

The data of a body fat ratio (FAT) to be used in the computation basedon the formula (12) or (13) may be such data determined by means of aseparate body fat determining device or the like and inputted as onebody data item to the visceral fat determining device 10 through themanipulation section 6. Alternatively, the visceral fat determiningdevice 10 may be provided with body fat ratio measurement means andconfigured to use the data of a body fat ratio measured by the body fatratio measurement means.

It is possible to add the foregoing correction term of the formula (4)or the correction term of the formula (5) to each of the formulae (12)and (13). If the correction term is added, the VA determined by theformula (12) or (13) reflects personal characteristics of the subjectmore precisely based on the age or sex of the subject. It is possible toadd either or both of the correction terms Xc and Yc to each of theformulae (12) and (13). If the correction terms Xc and Yc are both addedto each of the formulae (12) and (13), the VA determined by the formula(12) or (13) reflects personal characteristics of the subject much moreprecisely.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting functionaccording to the present invention is portable and capable of realizingdeterminations in relation to abdominal visceral fat and counting thenumber of steps involved in exercise such as walking readily in everydaylife. Further, the visceral fat determiing device allows the user toknow the relationship between an amount of exercise involved in exercisesuch as walking or a consumed calorific value and abdominal visceral fatconsumed by such exercise.

1. A visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function,comprising: a main body shaped to be portable, step-counting means forcounting the number of steps involved in exercise such as walking doneby a subject, data input means for allowing entry of body data of Thesubject including the waist size of the subject, which is thecircumferential size of a trunk part of the subject, computing means forobtaining quantitative information about abdominal visceral fat of thesubject through a computation of the body data based on a predeterminedcomputing formula, storage means for storing a criterial reference valueJ_(ws) of the waist size, and display means for displaying results ofdeterminations obtained, wherein the computing means obtains thequantitative information about abdominal visceral fat of the subjectbased on the computing formula using data including the waist size ofthe subject, and compares the waist size with the criterial referencevalue Jws of the waist size and determines whether a subject has thepossibility of developing any one of the diseases that are likely to becaused by obesity of the subject's body based on the comparison, thedisplay means is capable of displaying at least The number of stepscounted by the step-counting means and the result of the determination,the quantitative information about abdominal visceral fat is theabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area of the subject, the storagemeans further stores a criterial reference value J_(NZ) of abdominalvisceral fat cross-sectional area, the computing means further comparesthe abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area with the criterialreference value J_(NZ) of abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional aresand determines whether a subject has the possibility of developing anyone of diseases that are likely to be caused by obesity of the subject'sbody based on the comparisons; and wherein the visceral fat determiningdevice with a step-counting function has impedance measurement meanscapable of measuring the impedance of the body of the subject viaelectrodes brought into contact with terminals of the body of thesubject, the computing formula for determining the abdominal visceralfat cross-sectional area of the subject is created by statisticalprocessing of correlations between actual visceral fat cross-sectionalareas of a large number of human bodies as samples that are measured bytomography of the abdominal parts of the human bodies and body data ofthe human bodies as the samples; and the computation based on thecomputing formula for determining the abdominal visceral fatcross-sectional area is performed using data including the waist size ofthe subject and the impedance of the body of the subject, the computingformula beingVA=A _(g) ·W +g ₂ ·Z+c ₁₂ wherein Z is the impedance of a human body,and a_(g), g₂ and c₁₂ are regression coefficients.
 2. The visceral fatdetermining device with a step-counting function according to claim 1,wherein: the step-count data obtained by the step-counting means isstored, and the visceral fat determining device further comprisingvisceral fat change computing means for performing a computation to finda change in abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area relative to thestep-count data based on a first abdominal visceral fat cross-sectionalarea determined through a computation based on first body data,step-count data counted by the step-counting means after the firstabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional ama is determined, and a secondabdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area determined thereafterthrough a computation based on second body data.